As consumer demand for in-build wireless data capacity continues to grow, owners of properties like arenas and convention centers are working to deploy solutions that include distributed antenna systems.
For fans of the Arizona Coyotes National Hockey League team, ownership of the Gila River Arena partnered with Crown Castle International to deploy a DAS, an indoor antenna network that provides wireless communications services, that is now up and running.
“Our fans will definitely enjoy the improved wireless coverage for all Coyotes games and concerts at Gila River Arena,” Mike Humes, executive vice president of corporate and suite sales, said in a statement.
The Gila River Arena hosts around 19,000 fans for various types of events.
Crown Castle is a major telecom infrastructure owner with a portfolio boasting 40,000 towers and 14,000 small cell nodes connected by some 7,000 miles of fiber cable.
“Fans attending major sporting events and concerts want to share their experience and stay connected via their mobile devices,” Crown Castle’s Chief Commercial Officer Pat Slowey said.
“For venues looking to provide wireless coverage on game day or during other events, a DAS network provides the optimal wireless infrastructure solution,” he said. “At Gila River Arena, fans can now fully utilize their mobile phones for texting, calling and sending pictures to friends and family at the event and across the country before, during and after the arena games and concerts.”
In Boston, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority announced a $2.6 million upgrade to the in-building wireless infrastructure at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
The project will increase the number of existing wireless access points from 113 to at least 580, which represents a more than 400% increase.
”Today’s meeting attendees come to conventions with at least two Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices and the expectation that they will receive reliable, fast wireless connectivity,” James E. Rooney, executive director of the MCCA, said.
“Boston is the hub of innovation and technology leadership,” he said, “so meeting professionals and event attendees expect more from Boston. We are confident our latest investment in our wireless infrastructure will allow us to further exceed the expectations of our BCEC customers.”
The work is being done in cooperation with Neil Reid & Associates, MS Benbow & Associates and Aruba Networks.
The MCCA enlisted the help of three renowned wireless systems experts to help guide the BCEC wireless internet upgrade project, including Neil Reid & Associates, M S Benbow & Associates, and Aruba Networks.
